Making Tracks: Fall is on the way

The trees still show summertime color and the grass is still needing to be mowed weekly due to all the rain that we have had this season. So the break in the stuffy, hot weather is a nice blessing for us all for many different reasons.

Now that we are having cooler temperatures maybe more of us can get outside to enjoy events that are taking place in or around the area.

I’m so glad that my drives to and from work have gotten a lot cooler. Yes, I’m one of the many who don’t have AC that works. Thank God I will not have to worry about arriving places in a dripping sweat.

Not only did the temps come down, I would assume that the pollen count has, too. It seems to me that I can even breathe easier now. I really hope that everyone who has had to deal with sinus and allergies are getting better and looking forward to better days. I know I’m really ready to get out to enjoy the upcoming county fair and family cookouts that are happening this week.

Fall is just a week away. I love fall. There are so many noticeable changes that happen. So many events take place that you just don’t know which one to do first. Seeing the many hills of bright, various colors and the smells of the fire while camping out is just part of making it such a relaxing time of the year. Other enjoyable and relaxing things include getting to enjoy a feast with the family, going to football games with friends and taking a walk with the kids down the road.

Yes, I know that all this doesn’t sound like relaxing activities to do. But it is the atmosphere of all these things that can make you feel like you are on a vacation. I call them mini-cations! It’s a way to escape the everyday routine and enjoy the pleasures it can give you.

I really hope everyone takes the opportunity to enjoy outside events this upcoming weekend. If nothing more, at least go to the county fair. Here’s to a great start to a wonderful new season!

Coffee Chat

The Houston County Friends of the Library are hosting a coffee chat on Tuesday, Aug. 19, at 5:30 p.m. at the Houston County Library, 24 South Spring St., Erin. This is a group discussion of the book you are reading at the time of the meeting while having a cup of coffee. For more information call 931-289-3858. Everyone welcome. The library is always looking for reviews of books to put in the newsletter. If you have a really good book that you have recently read, write it down and give it to the ladies at the library or email them at hcpltn@peoplestel.net. Please include in the subject line of email, Book Review for Newsletter.

VFW and Ladies’ Auxiliary meeting

Houston County VFW Post 9689 and its Ladies’ Auxiliary will meet today, Tuesday, Sept. 16, at 6 p.m. at the Post Home, 175 Hill Street, Erin. They meet monthly on the third Tuesday. If you are the mother, grandmother, wife, widow, daughter, granddaughter or sister of a person who was or is eligible for membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States come and learn about the group. The organization wants to ensure that America's veterans will not be forgotten and that those who need assistance will receive it. The group supports the warriors in the community and has fun doing it. Come make a difference in your community. For more information, please call 931-289-2865.

Church Open House

“Celebrate Recovery” Open House will be held at Truth Tabernacle Church on Tuesday, Sept. 16 at 6:30 p.m. Refreshments will be provided. For more information contact Tom Textor at 931-721-6911.

Houston County Fair

The Houston County Fair, “Pigtails, Hay Bales, and Tall Tales-What a Fair is Made Of” will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 17 and go through Saturday, Sept. 20. Carnival, silent auction, and exhibits are open daily. Lots of events taking place every day. Check out their ad on page A6 in today’s The Stewart Houston Times for a list of the daily events.

DAV

The Disabled American Veterans will meet on Thursday, Sept. 18 at 5:30 p.m. at the Ridge Restaurant, Tennessee Ridge. All disabled veterans are encouraged to attend. For more information call Commander Raul Hernandez at 931-232-5249.

Teen Event-“Minecraft”

The Houston County Library is hosting a teen event on Saturday, Sept. 20, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. This is for any child ages13-17 who has a portable gaming device with the game Minecraft on it. Refreshments will be served. For more information call 931-289-3858.

POW/MIA Ceremony

The POW/MIA Ceremony will be held at the Houston County Court House in Erin at 10 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 20. Reverend Paul Moody will be the speaker. Everyone welcome.

Lions Club

The Houston County Lion’s Club will meet on Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 6:30 p.m. at Fitz’s Restaurant at the Crossroads, Erin

Genealogy Class

The Genealogy class will meet Tuesday, Sept. 23 at 5 p.m. at the Houston County Library. The class is presented by Melissa Barker. For more information call 931-289-3858

Benefit dinner, auction, drawing

The Houston County Coon Club, Midway Drive, Erin is holding a benefit dinner, auction, drawing Saturday, Sept. 27, at 12 p.m. for 2-year-old Conner Barnes, who has Cystic Fibrosis. They will be serving BBQ chicken or fried fish plate with 2 sides, drink & dessert for $8, an auction at 2 p.m. and a $1 donation for drawing for $100. For more information, call Justin Ray at 931-206-0309 or Randy Hollis at 931-289-6110. Conner is the son of Martie and Scott Barnes; funds will be used for Conner’s treatments and medical equipment.

Youth Center Open House Benefit BBQ

A benefit BBQ will be held at The Houston County Youth Center, Tennessee Ridge, Saturday, Sept. 20, at 12 p.m. to 8 p.m. Plates stop serving at 5 p.m. BBQ plates are $8 and all proceeds will go to the center. For more information call 931-721-3009.

Houston County Girl Scouts

Girl Scout Troop #995 meets on the first and third Tuesday of each month at the Tennessee Ridge School from 6-7 p.m. Meetings are open to the public to any grade K-12 girl who wishes to attend. There is no meeting if county schools are closed. For more information contact Nikki Perk at 931-206-8796.

Cub Scouts

Pack 305 meets at Erin United Methodist Church, 45 W. Walnut St. at 6 p.m. every Tuesday from Sept 2 to May 26, 2015. No meetings during holiday breaks or if school is cancelled for inclement weather. Cub Scouting is for boys in first through fifth grade. For more information call Dale or Amanda Popp at 721-2624 or 721-6464. Look up online at facebook.com/erinpack305.

Story Time

The Houston County Library, 24 South Spring St., Erin, has Story Time every Thursday at 10 a.m. Children of pre-school age or under and homeschool students are welcome to attend. There is no story time when county schools are closed. For more information call 931-289-3858.

GriefShare group meets

GriefShare group will meet at 6:30 pm on Mondays beginning on September 8 at Erin Church of the Nazarene, at the corner of Main and College Streets. This is a 13-week video seminar featuring nationally recognized experts on grief and recovery topics. Sessions include The Journey of Grief, The Effects of Grief, Your Family and Grief, Why? and Stuck in Grief. Child care will be provided. For more information contact the church at 931-289-3855.

Volunteers Needed for Houston-Stewart County

Mid-Cumberland Human Resource Agency’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman program advocates for the rights of thousands of residents in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, and homes for the aged in Houston-Stewart County and 12 additional counties in Middle TN. The Long Term care Ombudsman Program is a partner agency with the United Way of Houston-Stewart County. Ombudsman staff consists of two District Ombudsmen and an Ombudsman Assistant, along with more than 30 trained volunteers. Trained, certified Ombudsman volunteers pay regular visits to these facilities where they spend time with residents, monitor conditions, investigate complaints, educate regarding abuse and neglect and protect residents’ rights. The program offers mediation, complaint resolution, and public education for residents and their families. The Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is actively recruiting for volunteers in the Houston-Stewart County area. Volunteer applicants must pass a background check and attend a 16 hour in-house training. The next training session will be held on October 28 and 29 in Nashville. Those interested in assisting have until Oct. 3 to contact the program by calling 615-452-1687 or sending an email to crudolph@mchra.com

Prayer List

We all know that everyone needs a little pray in their life for many different reasons. Please say a prayer for Patricia Dennis Carter